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Driver |
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Speed over
1 Km |
Speed over
1 Mile |
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The 999 was named after a New York Central Railway train that set records in 1893. On October 25, 1902, Barney Oldfield drove the 999 wide open and defeated Alexander Winton, W.C. Bucknam and Charles Shanks at the Grosse Pointe racetrack in Michigan. The spectators went wild at his time of 5 minutes, 28 seconds - an American record.
The car was constructed in 1902 and was designed by Henry Ford. It is powered by an inline, 4-cylinder, 18.8-liter (1155.3 cubic-inch) engine developing approximately 70-horsepower.
Although the car is equipped with only one seat, a "Mechanician" was often kept busy oiling bearings and making adjustments while the car was being driven! The role more closely resembled that of an active sidecar acrobat than that of a riding mechanic.
It cost $5,000, a considerable sum in 1902.
This is actually an exact replica of the original 999. The Ford Motor Company commissioned it for the 1966 World's Fair. The original is on display at the Henry Ford Museum in Dearborn, MI, and this replica is kept at the Motorsports Hall of Fame at America Museum in Novi, MI.
The sister car of the 999 was the Arrow. It was a rebuilt Arrow that Henry Ford drove to 91.37 mph on frozen Lake St. Clair in January of 1904, for the new automotive World Land Speed record. After Ford set the record, his racing partner, Tom Cooper, sold both the 999 and the Arrow. The Arrow was renamed the New 999 by the new owner.
Shortly before his death, Henry Ford is said to have remarked to Barney Oldfield: "You made me and I made you." Oldfield shook his head and replied "Old 999 made both of us."
Ford 999 Vehicle Facts:
- Year: Originally constructed in October of 1902
- Designer: Henry Ford
- Drivers: Barney Oldfield, Harley Cunningham, Tom Cooper, & Henry Ford
- Engine: Inline 4 cylinder
- Displacement: 18.8 litres (1155.3 ci) - 7.25" bore & 7" stroke!
- Horsepower: Approximately 50
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